The music video is one aspect of the EDM phenomenon that has played an integral role in its growth and cultural impact. As technology has evolved, so has electronic music’s visual language. From the early days of MTV to the modern era of YouTube and social media, electronic music videos have pushed the boundaries of creativity and innovation, blending music and visual art in new and exciting ways.
This list of the 15 most iconic electronic music videos showcases the videos that have left the most significant mark on electronic music culture, from classic tracks by legends like Daft Punk and Chemical Brothers to groundbreaking videos from more modern artists. Each video on this list is a testament to the power of electronic music and its ability to inspire and captivate audiences with its unique blend of sound and vision. All have made a lasting mark on dance music’s history, culture, and legacy.
“Windowlicker” by Aphex Twin
Directed by Chris Cunningham, this video is a disturbing and provocative visual accompaniment to the track. The video features distorted, twisted images of scantily clad women with Richard D. James’ face superimposed over them. The video plays with the viewer’s perceptions of beauty and objectification and raises questions about gender and power dynamics.
Combining surreal and unsettling imagery with electronic music creates a truly memorable and iconic music video.
“Around the World” by Daft Punk
This video is a visually stunning and creative interpretation of the song, directed by Michel Gondry. The video features dancers dressed in costumes representing different musical elements (such as the bass guitar and drums) moving in synchronized patterns. The repetition of the movements and the various elements creating a mesmerizing effect, perfectly complementing the hypnotic and repetitive beats of the song.
The video’s minimalist and playful style was a departure from the more severe and gritty aesthetics of many other electronic music videos of the time, making it stand out as a true classic.
“Weapon of Choice” by Fatboy Slim
This video is a memorable and entertaining performance from one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, directed by Spike Jonze and starring Christopher Walken. The video features Walken dancing and flying through a hotel lobby, showcasing his unique style and charisma.
The juxtaposition of Walken’s deadpan expressions with the energetic and frenetic choreography creates a surreal and humorous effect. The video’s popularity and impact helped establish the music video as a medium for artistic expression beyond just promoting the song itself.
“Smack My Bitch Up” by The Prodigy
Directed by Jonas Åkerlund, this video is a controversial and contentious portrayal of the clubbing scene. The video features a first-person view of a night out in London, including drug use, violence, and sex.
The graphic and explicit nature of the video led to widespread criticism and censorship. Still, it also generated significant buzz and discussion about the depiction of women in music videos and the broader issues of drug use and violence in society. Despite the controversy, the video remains a landmark of electronic music videos, pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable in the medium.
“One More Time” by Daft Punk
Directed by Kazuhisa Takenouchi, this video is a visually stunning and creative interpretation of the song. The video features an animated band performing in a futuristic cityscape, with bright colors, dynamic camera angles, and detailed character designs.
The video’s use of anime-inspired visuals was groundbreaking for a Western music video, and it helped cement Daft Punk’s image as a visionary artist with a unique style. The video’s upbeat and optimistic tone, combined with the infectious and catchy melody of the song, makes it an enduring classic of the electronic music genre.
“Window Seat” by Erykah Badu
This video is a powerful and provocative statement about race and violence in America, directed by Erykah Badu herself. The video features Badu walking through the streets of Dallas, stripping off her clothes, and being shot by a sniper.
The video’s explicit references to President Kennedy’s assassination and Badu’s past controversies generated significant controversy and backlash. However, the video also sparked essential conversations about police brutality, systemic racism, and the use of provocative imagery in art. The video’s impact and significance in the context of social and political issues make it an essential landmark of electronic music videos.
“Vogue” by Madonna
Directed by David Fincher, this video is a stylish and iconic representation of the ballroom culture of the 1980s. The video features Madonna and a group of dancers voguing, a dance style popularized in the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene. The video’s black-and-white cinematography, elaborate costumes, and intricate choreography perfectly capture the glamour and energy of the ballroom culture.
The video helped bring voguing and ballroom culture into the mainstream, and it remains a touchstone for LGBTQ+ representation and cultural history.
“Go” by Chemical Brothers
Directed by Michel Gondry, this video is a surreal and visually inventive interpretation of the song. The video features a man’s head growing and shrinking and various objects in the environment morphing and changing shape.
The video’s practical effects, including forced perspective and stop-motion animation, create a whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere. The video’s creativity and innovation helped establish Gondry as a visionary director and remains a classic of electronic music videos.
“Teardrop” by Massive Attack
Directed by Walter Stern, this video is a haunting and beautiful visual complement to the song. The video features a fetus floating in the womb, with images of veins, blood cells, and other biological elements intertwined with the music. The video’s medical imagery and the motif of the fetus as a symbol of vulnerability and innocence create a powerful and emotional impact. The video’s artistic and conceptual depth and the lush and evocative music of Massive Attack make it a timeless classic.
“Hate or Glory” by Gesaffelstein
Directed by Fleur & Manu, this video is a dark and dystopian portrayal of power and control. The video features a futuristic world where a powerful and evil leader controls a group of soldiers. The video’s stunning visual effects, combined with the song’s industrial and menacing sound, create a haunting and unforgettable experience.
The video’s impact on the world of electronic music and its influence on the use of visual storytelling in music videos make it a significant addition to this list of the most iconic electronic music videos of all time.
“All is Full of Love” by Bjork
Directed by Chris Cunningham, this video is a futuristic and romantic interpretation of the song. The video features two male and female robots embracing and kissing in a sterile, white environment.
The video’s use of CGI and robotics to create the robotic characters was groundbreaking at the time, and the video’s themes of love and intimacy in a technological world remain relevant today. The video’s combination of Bjork’s ethereal vocals and the futuristic visuals create a truly unique and memorable experience.
“Come to Daddy” by Aphex Twin
Directed by Chris Cunningham, this video is a disturbing and surreal depiction of a dystopian world. The video features a gang of children with Richard D. James’ face terrorizing a housing estate and a giant, demonic version of James himself. The video’s use of grotesque and unsettling imagery and the juxtaposition of innocence and evil create a dark and unforgettable experience.
The video’s impact on the genre of electronic music videos, as well as its lasting influence on visual artists and directors, make it an essential landmark of the medium.
“Flat Beat” by Mr. Oizo
Directed by Quentin Dupieux, who also created the song under the name Mr. Oizo, this video is a minimalist and absurd portrayal of a yellow puppet driving through the countryside.
The video’s simplicity and deadpan humor perfectly complement the simple and catchy melody of the song, creating a unique and memorable experience. The video’s unexpected success and popularity helped establish the importance of viral videos and the power of social media in promoting music.
“Come on My Selector” by Squarepusher
Directed by Chris Cunningham, this video is a mind-bending and surreal journey through a dystopian world. The video features a man’s head attached to a robotic body and various grotesque and mutated creatures. The video’s use of practical and digital effects and its dark and unsettling atmosphere create a truly immersive and unforgettable experience.
The video’s impact on the genre of electronic music videos, as well as its lasting influence on visual artists and directors, make it an essential landmark of the medium.
“Breathe” by The Prodigy
Directed by Walter Stern, this video is a high-energy and visually stunning portrayal of the band’s signature sound. The video features the members of The Prodigy performing against a backdrop of fire, smoke, flashing lights, and various surreal and dystopian images.
The video’s use of cutting-edge visual effects, combined with the raw power of the band’s music, create an adrenaline-fueled experience that perfectly captures the intensity and energy of the rave scene. The video’s iconic status in the world of electronic music and its enduring popularity among fans make it a worthy addition to this list of the most iconic electronic music videos of all time.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
